Type-writing machine.



A. T. BROWN. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1906.

Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

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A. T. BROWN. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APILIOATION FILED JULY 22, 1908.

Patented 001;. 26, 1909.

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UNITED STATES PATENT, oFFioE.

ALEXANDER '1. BROWN, OF SRACUSE, NEW YORK.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Application filed July 22, 1808. Serial No. 444,800.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER T. BROWN citizen of the United States, and resident of Syracuse, in the countyof Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Iin rovements in Ty e-. \Vriting Machines, 0 which the following is a specification.

My invention has to do especially with ribbon mechanism fortypewriting machines and its mainobject is to provide improved devices of the class specified.

To the above general ends my invention consists in the features of construction, combinations of devices and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

I have shown niy invention applied to a front-strike typewriting machine generally resembling that illustrated in my pending application Serial No. 305,561, filed March 12th, 1906; but the nature of said invention is such thatit may be adapted in whole or in part to other styles of writing machines.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is .a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken about centrally of one form of typewriting machine illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on a plane represented by the line 2+2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation illustratin improved. ribbon indicating devices applie to the left-hand front'corner post. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section View corresponding to Fig. 1 the various parts shown in said Fig. 1 being omitted and other parts being shown in different relations from those 'in which they appear in said Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to Fig. 4 but showing Various parts in different relatioiis from those in which they appear in said Fig. 4. 'Fig. 6 is a side view showing detached various parts illustrated in Fig. 4, said parts being in different relations from those in which they appear in said Fig. 4. Fig.- 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6 but showing certain of the parts in different relations from those in which they appear in said Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a face view of a portion of a ribbon showing the paths followed by the type impressions.

Referring more especially to Fig. 1, the side plates 1 of the machine are provided with posts 2 to which a top plate 3 is secured by screws 4 (one screw 4 only being shown).

The type bars are normally supported on a segmental type rest 7 and each is provided with a'train of actuating devices comprising a link 8 and an actuating or sub-lever 9, said sub-lever bein rovided with a restoring spring 10 and ing connected by a link 11 with a bell crank lever 12 pivoted at '13 to a fixed part and pivotally connected with a. key stem 14, said key stem being provided with a. key or finger button 15. Each t pe bar is provided with a single type and w ion the train of actuating devices just described is actuated, the correspondin type is adapt ed to cooperate with theont face of a cylindrical platen 16 mounted on a carriage (not shown) which is adapted to travel over the top plate from side to side of the machine. The type actuating devices above described are the invention of John H. Barr. 7 Each of the sub-levers 9 is adapted to actuate a segmental universal bar 17 provided with a pair of rearward extensions or ears 18, each pivotally connected at 19 with an arm20 fixed to and extending upward from a rock shaft 21 supported in the side plates 1, each arm 20 being adjacent one of the side plates. The universal bar is also provided with a central rearwardly extending ear 22 which is pivotally connected at 23 with an arm 24 fixed centrallyto and extending upward from a rock shaft 25 supported in the Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Oct, 26, 1909.

side plates 1. A rearwardly extending arm 26 is fixed to the rock shaft 21 near one end thereof and has a pivotal connection at 27 with the upper end of a depending link 28,- the lower end of said link being pivotally connected at 29 with an arm .30 fixed to and extending rearward from the rock shaft 25. The rock shaft 25 at one end is formed with a loop or yoke 31 to which is secured by a, nut 32 a curved arm orrod 33, said arm passing through the center of motion of the rock shaft 25 and extending at opposite sides thereof. A block 34 is slidably mounted on the arm 33 and is adapted to be adjusted on said arm in different predetermined positions at one side or the other of the center of. motion of the rock shaft 21. The block 34 .is pivotally connected at 35 with the lower ing lever and the rib opposite sides thereof. The link 36 extends upward and is pivotally connected at 37 to a crank arm 38 extending horizontally rearward from a rock shaft 39 which turns in bearings carried by the top plate. The link 36 and crank arm 38 are arranged adjacent one of the side plates 1. Fixed centrally to the rock shaft 38 and extending forward and downward therefrom is an arm 40 which pivotally supports at 41 a vibratory ribbon carrier or vibrator 42 which coiiperates with a fixed guide 43. The arm 40, rock'shaft 39 and arm 38 constitute an operating lever for the vibrator, the link 36 serving as an actuating link therefor. The arm 33 is arcuate, the pivot 37 being the center from which it is curved. The link 36 depends from this center 37 so that a variation in the position of the 'lower end of said link and of the block 34 connected therewith may take place withoutaltering the positions of the operatways has the same normal position. The ribbon vibrator is preferably slotted to permit the ribbon to pass therethrough and be guided thereby. The ribbon shown in the present instance and numbered 44 is divided longitudinally into stripes a and b of different characteristics; that is, for example, the field a may be of one color such as black and the field b may be of another color such as red. The ribbon is wound on'ribbon spools (not shown} and is fed through the vibrator from one rlbbon spool to the other in any suitable way, as for instance in the way disclosed in my pending application hereinbefore referred to.

By moving the. block 34 along the arm 33 so as to vary the distance from the rock shaft 25 at which the link 36 operates, the throw communicated to the vibrator 42 at printing operation may be varied. When the link 36 is in the full line position shown in Fig. 1'

the vibrator will be lifted far enough to present the upper ribbon field a to the types. If the link be moved rearward and set in the rearmost dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, then the vibrator will be lifted at printing operatlon far enough to present the lower ribbon field b to the types. If the link 36 is shifted to the forward dotted line position at the opposite side of the rock shaft 25, then the Vibrator will be swung downward away from the printing point each time a printing 'key is operated. This last operation 1s commonly brought into play when it is desired to do stencil or mlmeographing work, and

"the arrangement and construction which permlts of it is disclosed and claimed in the pending application of Charles E. Tomlinson Serial No. 356,242, filed February 7, 1907. The position of the block 34 and link 3-6 is controlled by a link 45 which is pivoted at its rear end to the block 34 and link 36 and at its forward end is connected to keyon vibrator which aloperated controlling devices with which my present invention is more particularly concerned and which will now be described.

The controlling devices comprise a shifting member or lever 46'which is secured to the inner end of a shouldered pivot screw 47 which is adapted to turn in a bearing opening formed in the left-hand side plate 1 and in a boss 1 projecting inwardly therefrom, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2. The shifting member 46 is provided with a downward extension or arm 46*, the lower end whereof is pivotally connected at 48 with the forward end of the link 45. The part of the member or lever 46 adjacent to the pivot thereof is in the form of an irregularly shaped plate which is provided along its upper edge with three adjacent notches or curved depressions 49, 50 and,.51.' The notches 49 and 50 are equidistant from the center of rotation of the lever or member 46 while the notch 51 is at a slightly greater distance from said center of rotation. A roller detent 52 is adapted to coiiperate with the notches to maintain the plate 46 in one or another of three predetermined positions. The detent 52 is journaled on a stud 53 projecting laterally from an arm 54 between the ends thereof. The arm 54 is horizontally disposed and the forward end thereof is pivoted on a screw 55 which is secured in a lu or boss l projecting inward from the left-hand side plate 1 (Fig. 2). As seen clearly in Fig. 2, the rear or free end of the arm 54 is bent inward toward the middle of the machine at right an les to the body portion of said arm 54 an is formed with a hole in which is hooked one end of a coiled spring 56, said spring extending downward and being secured at its lower end to a pin 57 extending inward from a lug 1 integral with the left-hand side plate 1, The spring 6 tends constantly to pu the arm 54 downward on its pivot 55 and to maintain with one or another of the notches 49, 50 and 51 accordin as the shifting member 46 is adjusted to bring any particular notch into operation. I

The means for adjusting the member 46 comprise a bell crank lever 58 pivoted on the screw pivot 55 outside the arm 54 so that said arm 54 is confined between the bell crank lever 58 and the face of the boss 1". The longer arm 58 of the lever 58 extends rearward, passing beneath the stud 53 which projects inward beyond the-detent roller 52 and serves as a stop for the bell crank lever. After passing under. the stud 53 the lever arm 58 turns upward and is pivotally connected at 59 with a vertically disposed key stem 60, said keystem being guided by the the roller detent 52 in engagement.

usual stepped-plate 61 of the machine and 58' extends downward and is pivotally connected' at 63 with an actuating device or floating puller 64 which is in the form of a a-downward extension 64 and a head 64,

said extension being connected by a coiled spring 65 with the pin 57. The spring 65 tends to maintain the puller 64 in the normal position shown in Fig. 1, from a consideration of which it will be seen that the points 63, 57 and the point of connection of the spring 65 with the extension 64 are substantially in the same straight line. If the relations of these three points be changed so that they are no longer in a straight lme, then the spring .55 will tend to restore them. It will be noted that the spring 65 acting through the uller 64 and the arm 58 of the lever 58 ten s to maintain said lever 58in the normal position shown in Fig.1, with the arm 58 contacting with the stud 53 and bein arrested thereby. When the bell crani lever is swung on its pivot by depression of the key 62, the spring 65 will restore said bell crank lever to normal position against the stud 53. It will be noted that this stud or stop 53 is under a constant downward pull from the spring 56 but is held from downward movement normally by the engagement of the roller detent 52 with the notched edge of the member 46. If the stud 53 be raised the lever arm 58 will follow it under the pull of the spring 65. It will be understood that the two springs 56 and 65 act oppositely and that the spring 56 is the stronger of the two. The head 64 of the puller is arranged at right angles to the body thereof and the edge thereof adjacent to the body is at each side of the body provided with notches or depressions numbered 66, 66, 67, 68 and 69. Below the notch or depression 69 the head 64 terminates in an extension or nose 64. These notches and the nose 64 are adapted to engage with studs 70 and 71 fixed to and extending laterally from the face of the platelike lever or shifting member 46 at opposite sides of the body of the puller 64. As will be apparent from a consideration of Fig. 1 the construction is such that if the upper end portion of the head 64 engages with the stud 70 and operates on the latter to rotate the member or lever 46, said member will be turned in one direction while, if the lower end portion of the head 64 engages the stud 71 andoperates on the latter to turn the member 46, said member will be turned in the opposite direction since the power will be applied at the opposite side of the pivotal center 47.

Before ex laining the operation of the key evices above described, certain controlled indicating devices which are preferably employed in connection with said key controlled devices, will be described. Said indicating devices comprise an arm 72 pivoted at 73 to the member 46 and extending rearward and upward from the pivoted point 73 until the left-hand front post 2 is reached where said arm 72 is bent vertically upward and extends within said corner posts toward the top plate of the machine, terminating in an outwardly bent ear 72 which is formed with a hole to receive a cylindrical guide or exten-- sion 4 dependin from the screw 4 which secures the top p ate to the left-hand front post. The arm '7 2 is provided with an extension 7 2? which curves around the corner post and terminates in a beveled or pointed tip at the front of said corner post, the beveled tip serving as an indicator or pointer and 00- operating with indicating marks 74, 75 and 76 on the front face of said corner post. Said indicating marks may be constructed of any suitable material and may be secured to corner posts in any preferred way, or may be simply painted, directly on the corner post. Preferably these indicating marks correspond in character with the fields of the ribbon. In the present case, for exam le, the ribbon is divided into vfields a an 6 colored respectively black and red. The indicating mark 74 is therefore preferably .mark 7 6 is preferably white, corresponding to the mimeograph position ,and indicating that no imprint will be made-on the paper when the pointer 7 2 is opposite said indicating mark 76.

Referring to the operation of the novel key controlled devices and assuming that the parts are positioned normally as shown in Fig. 1, it will be observed from an inspection of said figure that at this time the block 34 and link 36 are set in the first position at the rear of the rock shaft 25 so that each time a printing key 15 is operated to cause the corresponding type to print, the vibrator 42 will be raised far enough to present the upper or black field a of the ribbon to the types. It Will further be noted that at this time the pointer or indicator 7 2 is opposite the black indicating mark 74 as shown in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 3, which corresponds with Fig. 1. Furthermore, it will be observed that the notch 66 in the head of the puller 64 iscontiguous to the upper stud 70 on the shifting member 46 which member is held set at this time by the engagement of the spring pressed roller detent 52 with the notch 49;

and that when said member 46 is thus set or maintained it operates through the link 45 to maintain normally the block 34 and link 36 in set positions with respect to the arcuate arm 33 and the rock shaft-T 25, said link 45 swinging down about the pivotal center 48 at each operation of a printing key without disturbing the relation between the sliding block 34 and the arm 33.

Suppose that it be desired to make use of the lowermost or red ribbon field b, the key 62 is depressed, thereby depressing the key stem 60 and the arm 58" of the bell crank lever. and causing the arm 58* of said bell stud 71 with the notch 69.

Fig. 4 shows the member 46 at the end of I its movement and also shows the key 62, bell crank lever 58 and puller 64 in their normal positions to which they have been restored by the operation of the, spring 65. The

roller'detent 52 serves to maintain the member 46 in its new position by engagement mark 75, thus indicating to with the notch 50. During the return movement of the puller under the influence of the spring said puller will be swung slightly downward so that when it reaches the normal position the notch 68 will be opposite the stud 71. Comparing Figs. 1 and 4 itwill be noted that the extension 46 of the member 46 has been moved rearward a considerable distance. The fragmentary dotted line position of the extension 46 shown in Fig. 1 in rear of the full line position of said extension corresponds with the position of the said extension lllustrated in Fig. 4. During the rearward movement of the extension 46 it operates to thrust the link 45 rearward, said link causing the block 34 to slide rearward on the arm 33 and thereby swinging the link 36 rearward until it reaches the rearmost dotted line position shown in Fig. 1. During the swing of the member 46 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 4, the detent 52 will ride up over the pointed or tooth-like part, separating the notches 49 and 50 andwill be seated and maintained in engagement with the notch 50 by the spring 56 acting through the pivoted arm 54 on which said roller detent is carried. While the roller-detent-52 is seated in thevnotch 50 the block 34 and link 36 will be maintained set at such a distance from the center of rotation 25 that when the printing keys are operated the vibrator 42 will be lifted or thrown far enough to present the lower ribbon field b to the types, causing the type impressions to follow a straight path lengthwise of said ribbon fieldb. The swinging movement of the member 46 frbm the Fig. 1 to the Fig. 4 position operates to raise the arm 72 which will be guided'by tlh: screw-extension 4 and causes the pointer or indicator 7?. to move upward until it is oppositf the indicating he operator that the corresponding ribbon field I) is in use.

If it be desired to render the upper ribbon field a again operative, the key 62 is depressed from the normal position as shown in Fig. 4 to;the position as shown in Fig. 6.

said puller to engage with the stud 71 on the member 46 and to operate through said stud to swing said member 46 back to the first position where the member 46' will be arrested by the engagement of the stud with a notch 66 formed at the upper .end of the head 64 above the notch 66. At this time the roller detent wvill have been brought into reengagement with the notch 49- in the member 46 as shown in Fig. 6, and consequently when the key 62 is released and the parts pivotally c 'nnected therewith arerestored to normal position the member 46 will remain set in t- 1e position shown in .Fig. 6 which position corresponds with the full line position showninr Fig. 1. Of course, the restoration of the shifting member 46 to theFig. 1 position operates through the link 45 to restore the slidable block 34 and the actuating link 36 to the full line positions shown in Fig. 1. Consequently during subsequent printingoperations, the upper ribbon field a will again be presented to the types. As the member 46 is swung back to the Fig. 1 position from the Fig. 4 position the arm '72 will also be restored, being guided in its downward movement by the screw extension 4 and the pointer 72 will again be brought opposite the indicating rhark 74.

Referring to- Fig. 8, the paths followed by the type impressions are indicated by the dotted lines a: and y. The path 00 extends centrally lengthwise of the upper ribbon field a and will be followed by the types when the link 36 is set in the full line position shown in Fig. 1. The path 3 extends centrally lengthwise of the lower ribbon field 6 and'will be followed by the types when the link 36 is set in the rearmost dotted line position shown in Fig. 1.

If it be desired to dispense entirely with the use of the ribbon for the purpose of preparing stencil sheets or the like, the shifting member 46 will be swung on its pivot to the position illustrated in Fig. 5 in which position the roller detent 52 will be in engagement with the notch '51 and will cooperate with the forward edge of said notch to prevent overthrow of the member 46, said forward edge being preferably elongated for that purpose. The movement of the member 46 to the Fig. 5 position is preferably accomplished by pressing downward on the pointer 7 2 which thus serves also as a finger piece for positioning the shifting member 46.

\Vhether at the start the pointer or fingerplece 72 be in the Fig. 1 position or the Fig. 4 position the result will be the same and downward ressureon it will ,order tov prevent the head 64 from engaging at its notched edge with the stud 70 to arrest the member 46 in its swing to mimeographing position, the notch 52 in said member 46 is, as has been stated, at a greater distance from the pivotal center 47 than are the notches 49 and 50. The result will be that during the swing of the member 46 the notch 49 will pass out of engagement with the roller detent 52 and as the notch 51 is brought into' engagement therewith said roller detent will be raised, thereby lifting the arm 54 which carries it and permittin the spring to move the puller 64, bel

crank lever 58 and key stem 60 to the posit-ions shown in Fig. 5. The movement thus communicated to the puller 64 carries the head 64 thereof rearward away from the stud and prevents said head from 0bstructing the movement of said stud and of the shifting member. During the movement of the member 46 to min'ieographing position the extension 46 thereof w1ll be swung forward until arrested in the position shown in Fig. 5, which position corresponds with the fragmentary dotted line position as shown in Fig. 1 forward of the full line position of said extension 46 illustrated in said Fig. 1. As a result of the forward swing of" the extension 46, the link 45 will be drawn forward and the block 3-1 slid forward along the arm past the pivotal center 45, arresting and setting the link 36 in a position forward of said pivotal center as illustrated by the forward dotted line position of said link in Fig. 1. Consequently if the printing keys be operated wlnle the member 46 and link 36 are normally maintained set as described, the vibrator 42 will be swung downward farther away from the printing point, lowering the printing portion of the ribbon and leaving the platen in the vicinity of theprinting point entirely uncovered and unobstructed. \Vhen it is again desircdto make use of the ribbon, this may be accomphshu. by pulling upward on the pointer or finger piece 72* and this operation may be preferable it' the lowermost ribbon field b is atonce to be brought into use, in which event the part 72 is moved upward until 1t 15 opposite the indicating mark 75, thus swinging the shifting mem-.

ber 46 to the Fig. 4 position. If, however, the black ribbon field is to be brought into use at the end of the m-imeographing or stencil making operation, this may be and preferably is accomplished by depressing the key 62, moving it and the bell crank lever as and puller 64 from the positions illustrated in Fig. 5 to those illustrated in Fig. 7.

From Fig. 5 it will be noted that at the beginning of the depression the notch 67 in the puller is opposite and close to the stud 70. Consequently as the puller 64 is moved forward under the depression of the key 62, the notch 67 will engage with the stud 70 and will operate through it to turn the shifting member 46 on its pivotal center from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 7, in which position the member 46 will be arrested by the contact of the stud '71 with the nose 64 on .the. puller. It

will be noted that at this time the roller detent 52 will be in engagement with the notch 49 so that when the key 62 is released and restored with the connectedparts to normal position, the member 46 and the parts it controls will be maintained set by the engagement of the roller detent 52-with the notch 49 in position to cause the upper ribbon field a to coiiperate withthe ty es when the printing keys are operated. T e restoration of the key 62 and connected parts from the positions shown in Fig. 7 to normal position, will operate to swing the puller 64 slightly downward so that the notch 66 will be brought opposite and close to the stud 70 in position to cotiperate with said stud when the key 62 is next depressed. From what has just been said it is apparent that the next succeeding depression of the key 62 will operate to swing the member 46 to the Fig. 4 position and to again bring the ribbon field 6 into operation. It will be a iarent. therefore that instead of moving t e parts from the mimeographing posltion illustrated in Fig. 5 to the position illustratcd in Fig. 4 wherein the lower ribbon field I) is operated, by manipulating the pointer or finger piece 72 as above described, the same result can be accomplished by two successive depressions ofthe key 62. The first of said depressions as above described moves the member 46 from the Fig. 5 position to that shown in Fig. 7 and the second of said depressions will operate to move the member 46 from the Fig. 7 position to that illustrated in Fig. 4.

Usually heretofore one ribbon or inking field or color has been rendered inoperative and, another ribbon field or inking field or color concurrently rendered operative in one ot'two ways, first by the means of a switch lever, and secondlyby means of two separate keys. hen. the switch lever has been used it has been swung from one position to another and has remained in one or the other of the two positions as long as the ribbon field or inking field or color remains unchanged. hen the two separate keys have been employed one key has been utilized to render one ribbon or inking field operative and the other key to render another ribbon or inking field oper- 4 occupies normallyone of two positions and the operator must in consequence reach to one or the other of two different points or places to change ribbon fields or inking fields. The same thing is equally true when two separate keys or key buttons are used. In my construction, however, there 1s but one key and that occupies always the same place. The hand of the operator can without trouble and almost intuitively reach the key so as to make the change in the ribbon in the quickest possible time. The key in the present instance is a downwardly operating key like the character keys of the key- 5 board and is located in or near the keyboard preferably, and hence is more convenient for the operator than is a switch lever which is usually movable sidewise and always necessitates a different kind of movement on the part of the operator from that by which the printing keys are operated. This single key returns automatically to normal position when downward pressure is removed and hence for each change of ribbon field or inking field the key has the same downward movement and from the same point or position.

Between the key and the ribbon is a transmitting train of devices in which is a reciprocating part or pivoted shifting member or lever that is acted upon and controlled by the key in such a way that one downstroke of the key swings the switching member on its pivot in one direction or forward and the next succeeding downward movement of the same key moves the switching member in the opposite direction or rearward.

It will be noted that I combine a vibratory ribbon carrier or ribbon vibrator and actuating means therefor with means for varying said actuating means for changing ribbon fields or inking fields; that these varying means or means for changing ribbon fields are independent of the carriage; that said varying means include a single ribbon changing key which when struck or pushed communicates its motion to the devices for changing ribbon fields; that the single key which when at rest occupies always the same position regardless of which ribbon field or inking field vis in service; that this single key automatically returns to the same invariable position after each operation 'of changing ribbon fields; that the ribbon field changing means further comprises a reciprocating part, which reciprocating part in the present instance is a pivoted member or shifting member that is controlled, or operated, by said key; that said pivoted memher is provided withstuds at opposite sides of 1ts pivot; that saidstuds are alternately operative devices by which said member may be turned on its pivot in opposite directions 6 to render different ribbon fields operative at successive key strokes of said key; that between said key and said pivoted shifting member is a train of devices controlled by said key and comprising an actuatingmeinber, which actuating member is operat1ve on' said pivoted member; that sald v actuat ng member in the present instance s in the. form of a T-shaped puller, the body whereof lies between the engageable devices or studs and the sides of the head whereof is adapted to cooperate alternately with said studs, be: ing provided with depressions or notches for that purpose; that certain of said notches cooperate with said studs to limit ,the turning movements of said pivoted shifting mem-- g ber; that said actuatingmember or puller is pivotally supported on one arm of a bell crank lever, the other arm of said lever being pivotally connected with thestem of said key; that a spring cooperates with 5 said actuating member or puller and serves normally to position said puller, said puller being what may be termed a floating device; that a detent is provided .to cooperate with notches in said shifting member to main tain said memberset in one or another of a plurality of predetermined normal positions; that two oppositely acting springs operate on said detent; that said detent is mounted on a pivoted arm; that the ribbon field changing means comprises means for rendering the ribbon inoperative. at printing operation; that in the present instance at printing operation when the ribbon is not to be used it is moved downward away from normal position at each operation of a printing key; that the pivoted shifting memberis adapted to be swung or turned to a position so as to cause the ribbon tomove away from the printing point at printing operation as last described; that this movement of the shifting member is not accomplished-by the key hereinbefore referred to for changing ribbon fields but is accomplished by operating a finger piece; that in the present instance this finger piece also serves as a pointer to cooperate with a fixed indicating surface to indicate which ribbon field is in use or that the ribbon is not in use at all; that the pointer or movable indicating part is pivotally connected with the pivoted shifting member or reciprocating part; that said pointer cooperates with a fixed indicating part or plate which is divided into portions corresponding with the ribbon fields and is also provided with a portion indicating that the ribbon is not in use; that the pointer or movable indicating part is adapted to cooperate with the same portions of the fixed indicating part at alternate key operations, that is to say, at one key operation the pointer will cooperate with one portion, say the black portion, at a second key operation the pointer will cotiperate with the red portion, that at a'third key 133 operation the pointer will again cooperate with the black portion and at a fourth key operation the pointer will again cooperate with the red portion; that said pointer or movable indicating part is key-operated, being controlled by the same key that controls'the pivoted shifting member, and is adapted .to be moved in opposite directions atsuccessive key operations; and that the finger piece or pointer is capable of moving the reciprocating part or pivoted shifting member to a greater extent in one direction than is the key 62 so as to cause the notch 51 to cooperate with the detent 52, thus setting the mechanism for mimeo raph work.

Various changes maybe macfe in the arrangement of parts and combinations of devices Without departing from my invention.

What I claim as new. and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one inking field to another, said means comprising a single key and a reciprocating part, and means whereby said reciprocating part is moved forward by one stroke of the: key and is moved backward by another stroke of the key in the same direction.

2. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a pivoted member provided with alternately operative devices and means cooperative with said devices by which said member may be turned on its ivot in opposite directions to render difierent ribbon fields operative. r

3. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means vfor changing from one ribbon field to another, said means. comprising a pivoted member provided with alternately operative devices and means cooperative with said devices by which said member may be turned in opposite directions by successive key strokes to render different ribbon fields operative.

4. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a key and a pivoted member provided with alternately operative devices and means cooperative with said devices by which said member may be turned on its pivot in one direction by one stroke of said key and may be turned in the opposite direction by another strokeof said key in the same direction as the first stroke thereof.

' 5. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another,'said means comprising a key having a single normal position anda pivoted member provided with alternately operative devicesand means cooperative with said devices by which said member may be turned on its pivot in one direction by one stroke of said key-and in the opposite direction by the next succeedm stroke of said key, the operative strokeso said key being in one and the same direct on for both directions of movement of said pivoted member. 6. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbonfield to another, said means comprising. a key, a pivoted member, means by which said member is turned in one direction by one stroke of said key and is turned in the opposite direction by another stroke of said key in the same direction as tlfe first stroke thereof, and a detent cooperative with said member to maintainit set in the positions to which it may be turned by saidkey.

7 In a typewriting machine and in a-ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a key, a pivoted member, means by which said member "is turned in the op osite direction by the next succeeding stro e of said key, the operative strokes of said ke being in one and the same direction for botil directions of movement of saicla pivoted member, and a detent cooperative with said member to maintain it set in the positions to which it may be turned'by said key.

8. I11 a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a pivoted shifting member and a key-controlled actuating member operative on said pivoted member first at one side of the pivot thereof and then at the opposite side of the pivot thereof, means for actuating the ribbon at printing operation, and leverage changing devices for said actuating mechaniasm connected to said pivoted shifting mem- 9. In a typewriting machine and in a rib bon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a reciprocating member provided with engageable devices, and a key-controlled actuating member provided with en aging devices operative on said 'engagealile devices, certain of said engagin devices cooperating with said engageab e devices to move said reciprocating member and certain of said engaging devices cooperating with said engageable devices to arrest said reciprocating member.

10. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a pivoted shifting member provided with engageable devices at opposite sides of its pivot, and an actuating member provided with notches cooperative with said engageable devices, one of said notches cooperating with one of said engageable devices to swing said pivoted member on its pivot while in the course of the same operatlon ano her of said notches cooperates with the engagcable 5 bon mechanism, means for changmgfrom one ribbon field to another comprising a device at the opposite side of said pivot to limit the turning movement of said pivoted member.

11. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism,-means for changing from one ribbon field. to another comprising a pivoted shifting member, an actuating mem ber therefor, and a key, the actuating mem- 15. In a typewriting machine and in a ribpivoted shifting member, a lever, an actuating member for sald pivoted member, said actuating member being pivotally supported position b'er operating oil-opposite sides of the pivot 1 of said pivoted member at successive strokes of said key, means for actuating the ribbon at printing operation, and leverage-changing devices for said actuating mechanism connected to said pivoted shifting member.

12. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field 'to another comprising a 1 pivoted shifting member, an actuating memher, a key, anda lever pivotally connected both with said key and with said actuating member, the actuating member operating on the opposite side of the pivot of said pivoted member at successive strokes of said key, ribbon vibrating devlces, and connections between said pivoted shifting member and certain of said vibrating devices, said shifting member operating to vary the extent of movement communicated to the ribbon by said actuating devices.

13. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a pivoted shifting member, a lever, an actuating member for said pivoted shifting memher, said actuating member being pivotally supported on said lever, and a spring assisting to normally position said actuating K member, said actuating member operating alternately on opposite sides of the pivot of said pivoted shifting member to move said pivoted shifting member, ribbon vibrating devices, and connections between said pivoted shifting member and certain of said vibrating devices, said shifting member operating to vary the extent of movement communicated to the ribbon by said actuating devices.

14. In a typewriting machine and in a pivoted shifting member, a lever, an actuatmg member for said pivoted member, said on said lever, a spring assisting to normally said actuating member, and a key provided witlra stem which is pivotally connected with said lever.

- 16. In a typewriting machine and in a ribl bon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a pivoted shifting member provided with engageable devices at opposite sides ofv its pivot. a bell crank lever, an actuating member pivoted to said bell crank lever and extending between said engageable devices,

said actuatingmember being provided with 1 orally extending studs at opposite sides of ahead cojiperative with said devices, and a key connected with said bell crank lever. the head of said actuating member being adapted to engage alternately with said engageable devices at successive key strokes.

17 In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one. ribbon field to another comprising a pivoted shifting member provided with latits pivot, a T-shaped puller provided with notches engageable with said studs, a bell crank lever with one arm of which said puller is pivotally connected, a springfor saidpuller, and a key, the stem whereof is pivotally connected with the other arm of said bell crank lever;

1.8. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a pivoted shifting member provided with laterally extending studs at opposite sides of its pivot, a T-shaped puller having notches engageable with said studs, a bell crank lover with one arm of which said puller is pivotally connected, a spring for said puller, and a key the stem whereof is pivotally connected with the other arm of said bell crank f lever, printing key levers, a rock shaft controlled thereby, an arm fixed to said rock ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a,

actiuiting member being pivotally supported on said lever, a spring assisting to normally position said actuating member, and a key, said actuating. member operating on sald pivoted shlttmg member at opposite sides of thepivot thereof at successive key strokes,

ribbon vibrating devices, and connections between said pivoted shifting member and certain of said vibrating devices, said shifting member operating to vary the extent of movement communicated to the ribbon by said actuating devices.

shaft, a block slidable on said arm, a link connecting said block with said shifting member, a ribbon vibrator, and connections between said vibrator and said block.

19. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a pivoted shifting member provided with laterally extending studs at opposite sides of its pivot, a T-shaped puller engageable with said studs in alternation, a bell crank lever with one arm of which said puller is pivotally connected, a spring for said puller and a key, the stem whereof is pivotally connected with the other arm of said bell crank lever, printing key levers, a rock shaft conerative with said shifting member to maintai-n it set in one or another of a plurality of predetermined normal positions, and oppositely acting springs connected with 837d detent.

21. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a key controlled shifting member, a-pivoted arm, a detent mounted on said arm and coiiperative with said shifting member to maintain it set in one or another of a plurality of predetermined normal positions, a spring connected with said arm and tending to turn it on its pivot in one direction, and a second spring operative on said arm and tending to turn it in the opposite direction.

22. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a keycontrolled shifting member, a pivoted arm,

' a detent mounted on said arm and cooperative with said shifting member to maintain it set in one or another of a plurality of predetermined normal positions, a spring con: nected with said arm and tending to turn it on its pivot in one direction, and a springpressed lever tending to turn said arm in the opposite direction.

v 23. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a pivoted shifting member provided with a plu-' rality ofdepressions or notches, a detent cooperative With said notches, a pivoted arm on which said detent is supported, a spring for turning'said arm in one direction, an actuating device for said shifting member, a key-controlled lever connected with said acmating-device, and a second spring connected with said actuating device and operative through said key-controlled lever on said arm, said second spring tending to turn said arm oppositely from said first spring.

24. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a single key and means for retaining said key when at rest in the same'position regardless of which ribbon field is in service, said means also including devices for rendering the ribbon inoperative at printing opera.- tion. v

25. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means com prising a single key and means for returning said key after each operation automatically to the same invariable position regardless of which ribbon field is .brought into service, said means also comprising devices for rendering the ribbon inoperative at printing operation.

26. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a single key operative always from the same normal position for each ribbon dering the ribbon inoperative at printing operation.

27. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means com-' prising a single key and a reciprocatingpart, and means whereby said reciprocating part is moved in one direction by one stroke of said key and in the opposite direction by another stroke of said key in thesame direction, said means also comprising devices for rendering thev ribbon inoperative at printing operation.

28. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbonmechanism, the combination of means for automatically moving the ribbon at will in either of two opposite directions from normal position at printing operation, and hand-controlled means for setting said first named means to cause such movements, said hand-controlled means comprising a pivoted different distances from its center of rotation, a detent cooperative with said notches, a pivoted spring-controlled arm on which said detent is mounted, an actuating device for said shifting member, a key, connections including a lever betweensaid key and said actuating device,'and a second spring operative on said actuating member and said lever, said iever being maintained in engagement with said pivoted .arm by said second spring.

29. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, the combination of means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a key-operated reciprocating part; and indicating devices including a movable indicating part secured to said reciprocating part and also including a fixed indicating part, said movable part being adapted to cooperate with the same portions of said fixed part at alternate key operations.

30. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, the combination of means for changing from one ribbon field to another, and indicating devices comprising a key operated indicating part and a relatively fixed indicating part, said key-operated part .being movable in opposite directions at successive operations.

31. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, the combination of means for changing from one ribbon field to another, and indicating devices comprising a key-operated indicating part and a relatively fixed indicating part, said key-operated part being movable in opposite directions at successive key operations, the key controlling said key-operated part being movable from an unvarying normal position for both directions of movement of said key-operated part.

32. In a typewriting machine and in ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a shifting member provided With alternately operative devices by which said member may be moved in opposite directions to render different ribbon fields operative; and indicating devices comprising an indicator or pointer connected with said member.

33. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to'another comprising a pivoted shifting member, and a key-controlled actuating member operative on said shifting member first at one side of the pivot thereof and then at the opposite side of the pivot thereof, and indicating devices comprising an indicator or pointer connected with said. pivoted shifting member.

34. In a typwriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another comprising a pivoted shifting member, an actuating member therefor, and a key, the actuating member operating on opposite'sides of the pivot of said pivoted member at successive strokes of said key, and indicating devices comprising an indicator or pointer pivotally connected with said pivoted member and cooperative with a fixed indicating plate.

35. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, the combination of means for changing from one ribbon field to an other, said means comprising a key-operated reciprocating part; and indicating devices including a movable indicating part secured to said reciprocating part and also including a fixed indicating part, said movable part being adapted to cooperate with the same portions of said fixed part at alternate key operations, said movable part also serving as a key or finger piece by which said reciprocating part may be moved,

36. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a member provided with alternately operative devices by which said member may be moved in opposite directions to render different ribbon fields operative; and indicating devices comprising an indicator or pointer connected with said member, said indicator also serving as a key by which sald member may be moved.

37. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, the combination of means for changing from one ribbonfield to another, said means comprising a single key and a reciprocating part that is moved in opposite directions atsuccessive strokes of said key; and indicating devices including a pointer, which pointer may serve also as a finger piece for moving said reciprocating part.

38. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, the combination of means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a single key and a reciprocating part that is moved in opposite directions at successive strokes of said key; and indicating devices including a pointer which pointer may serve also as a finger piece for moving said reciprocating part to a reater extent in one direction than said key is capable of moving said reciprocating part.

39. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, the combination of means,

for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a single key and a reciprocating part that is moved in opposite directions at successive strokes of said key; and indicating devices including a pointer, which pointer may serve also as a finger piece for moving said reciprocating part to a greater extent in one direction than said key is capable of moving said reciprocating part,'the greater extent of movement of said reciprocating part under the action of said pointer or finger piece serving to render the ribbon inoperative at printing operation.

, 40. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon mechanism, the combination of means for changing from one ribbon field to another, said means comprising a single key, a

reciprocating part that is moved in opposite directions at succesive strokes of said key, and a finger piece for moving said reciprocating part to a greater extent in one direction than said key is capable of moving said reciprocating part, the greater extent of movement of said reciprocating part un der the action of said finger piece serving to render the ribbon inoperative at printing operation.

Signed at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, andState of New York, this 18th day of July, A. D. 1908.

ALEXANDER '1. BROWN. \Vitnesses:

S. DAVIS, O. E. ToMLINsoN. 

